Conveniently located in the hills above the Town of Woodside and ideally situated for a quick morning or afternoon getaway, Thornewood Open Space Preserve is a 167-acre preserve offering easy hikes or horseback rides through beautiful surroundings. Managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, this small but peaceful preserve in the Santa Cruz Mountains of San Mateo County is a wonderful destination for dog owners seeking a quiet walk beneath towering trees.
The preserve offers approximately 1.5 miles of trails across two main routes. The three-quarter-mile Bridle Trail winds through second growth Douglas fir and redwood forest and emerges in oak and madrone forest to connect with the Schilling Lake Trail, welcoming equestrian, hiking, and dogs-on-leash passage. The three-quarter-mile Schilling Lake Trail gradually winds through sunlit canopies of big-leaf maples and moss-covered oaks and ends under the shade of the giant redwoods that surround the tranquil lake. The destination at Schilling Lake is a lovely reward for you and your dog, offering a serene spot to rest and take in the beauty of the old-growth redwoods reflected in the still water.
Dogs are allowed on designated trails in this preserve and must be controlled on a maximum six-foot leash at all times. Self-retracting leashes are permitted with a maximum extended length of 25 feet. Moving dog waste off trail is not permitted, so please pack out what your dog leaves behind. Because much of the path passes beneath dense forest canopy, the trail remains wet for long periods of time and may close seasonally due to concerns for public safety and environmental protection. It is a good idea to check current trail conditions before visiting, especially during the rainy season.
Thornewood is also a place rich in history. San Franciscan Julian Thorne purchased the Woodside property in 1908, and in the 1920s architect Gardner Dailey designed and built the Thornewood house as a summer home for Julian and his wife Edna. While the historic estate is no longer standing, the grounds retain a sense of timeless elegance, and you can almost imagine the grandeur of the original property as you walk the shaded paths with your dog.
Directions: Access to the preserve is through a brick gate on the south side of La Honda Road (Highway 84), 1.6 miles past its intersection with Portola Road in Woodside. A narrow driveway winds through the woods for 0.3 miles before reaching the parking area located on the west side of the driveway. Parking is very limited, with just five regular spaces and one ADA-accessible space, so arriving early on weekends is recommended. The small size of the preserve and limited parking mean that Thornewood rarely feels crowded, giving you and your leashed dog a quiet, contemplative experience in some of the most beautiful forest on the Peninsula.
